Monday, December 29, 2008

My class with Danny Gregory has come to an end. I learned so much about drawing and visual journaling...but more importantly, I learned about observation. Observing details about everyday matters as a way to be in the moment and live life just a little more fully.

Our last class was the most challenging for me. We broke into groups of three for a "portrait party." I had to draw a portrait of the classmate to my left. Three times. Once in my journal. Once in the third person's journal. And once in the model's journal. Well...I definitely improved from portrait one to portrait three, supporting Danny's point that the best way to learn to draw is to draw! However, as a means of protecting the innocent (e.g., the model), I am not posting the drawings. After all, it is the process not the outcome which is important!!

Danny spent some time in our last class sharing some of his thoughts about the process. A few of my favorites: "surprise yourself...do what you can't...love mistakes...never complain...never explain...express yourself." Thanks Danny!

This piece has gone through several versions in several blog posts and although I originally thought it was not yet complete, after more observation I now feel that it is. Observations.

Saturday, December 27, 2008

I have made one more set of small mixed media artworks inspired by the solstice. Each piece includes at least one found metal object. This will be the last of the series. All pieces (except the above image) are available in my Etsy shop.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Continuing my Solstice Series, these pieces all include found metal objects. Some are also made with found papers. I decided it was time to use more of my finds rather than just watch the piles grow and grow. Inspired by the Solstice, these pieces represent to me the beauty of winter, transitions from darkness to light, and the natural evolution of time. The first three posted are available for purchase in my Etsy shop. The last three were made to complete a blog project from one year ago and will be winding their way to three people, who I hope will be happily surprised.

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Today marks the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere, one of two times each year that the sun is at its greatest distance from the celestial equator. Today the sun shines directly over the tropic of Capricorn. The winter solstice marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year. For me it represents a sense of change and renewal. And I know that as the days slowly get longer, the sun will begin to linger and the darkness of night arrives later and later.

Wanting to celebrate the occasion, I have made five small artworks inspired by the solstice.

Monday, December 15, 2008

It has been two months since my trip to New Mexico and I have recently been busy reliving the memories of that adventure. I have spent the last few weeks completing my travel journal. I have posted all the spreads from this journal below. I have also included a close-up of each color journal page. Click on the images to enlarge. To see larger versions of some of the black & white pages (text was pixelated in the photos) please click here and here to see previous postings. I hope you enjoy going on this journey through my journal with me!